Wow .. too much to catch up on in here! It sounds like ya'll are doing great! Aphil, you're just rocking right along! Congrats!

Silence that was a great quote. I wish I could scream that from the rooftops. It's so true.

Kanola, grats on the loss!

I'm sans scale for the next several weeks. I had my BF hide it. I took my measurements, got one last weight, and took a "before" pic. :eek: That was scary. In 4 weeks I'll do all of that again, and see what my progress has been.

Hope everyone is doing great today!

Good Morning All! I am feeling very fat today-even though I stayed on program all weekend and exercised on Monday! We had a huge snow storm here Sunday night and got 14 inches of the ugly white stuff, maybe that's why I'm feeling so yukky-it's Spring for God's Sake! Thanks to everyone who's put up their menus-they are a big help! Our weigh-in was cancelled last night, so I have to wait another week! I need some uplifting this week...keep up the good work girls!:)

Hello...? Anyone out there? I have been having cravings all day... I am trying to make good choices though. Our snow that we got on Monday is now melting and it's 52 degrees here, I can't wait til spring! Here's what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast: Special k bar & coffee 2 pts.

Lunch: Subway chicken breast sandwich with all the veggies,
7 pts.

Snack: 1 apple 1 pt.

Dinner: 2 pieces baked fish, 1/2 cup mashed potatoes,
small salad 8 pts.

Snack: FF pudding cup with FF cool whip and
2 choc. graham crackers 4 pts.

Have a great day!

Hi everyone!
I have been trying to make an avatar of myself to put up here...have not yet been successful!
We'll see if I can't get it up here in a bit...
Aphil

GO AWAY %#&*@!! SNOW!!
 

Hello everyone!

Idealperson, you had a great day of food choices posted! I KNOW the yucky feeling, and yes, it surely could come from the stupid snow that just doesn't quit!!!

Our road trip is in 18 days, and I am decidedly nervous about the cold and snow!!! Tomorrow is supposed to greatly warm up, to 50 degrees :rolleyes: and some sunshine; it that happens we are going to take advantage of it and go for a 200 mile ride, to get our butts in condition, lol.

I needed to make myself get some more cardio activity in, so I raised my step two inches, for during my Gilad Step 'n' Tone workout, and that did the trick - it was rough! but that is good. Funny how just two inches can make your heart work so much harder!

I got TWO new pair of New Balance Cross-Trainers, plus two dozen socks from Foot Locker, all free with my free gift certificates - plus had $25 left over, which I gave to my older son. Cool!!! :D

I hope eveyone is doing well. I envy all of you with warm weather already!

Your friend,
Holly

Good day everyone,

What a beautiful windy, windy day here in calgary. I was out for my walk and now my hair looks like I combed it with a blender!!!!! I wonder if Ill even be able to get a comb through it. I should of put it in a ponytail. Of course some would say that the wind blown look is pretty sexy, but not on this middleaged grandma, I look like friggin rat-woman !!!!! :lol:

My tan is looking real good, this tanning salon that I walk to the best one I have ever been to. I started out in the lay down beds and then switched to the stand up. I have always said that tan fat looks better then frog belly white fat !!!

I am almost all packed for my trip on Friday. I am so excited that Ill be seeing my kids and grandson !! The sad part is that Ill be away from the hubby for six weeks.

I leave Friday morning from Calgary and fly to Minnapolis and then St louis. I ll spend the weekend in St louis at my best friends house and then I go to my daughters in Illinois and then on Thursday I go down to Keesler Air Force base In Biloxi, Miss to spend 2 weeks with my son, dil and grandson and then back to my daughters in Illinois for 3 weeks and then home to Calgary on the 24th of May. What a trip eh?
I am going to try my very best not to use this vacation as an excuse to pig out on food !!!
As soon as I get back from vacation I will find a WW meeting hre in Calgary and start back up with my meetings. I did not enroll as soon as I got here as I knew it would only be 2 weeks and I would be gone for 6 weeks.

Amy~~ You are doing wonderful ! The weight is just coming off of you . Your hard work and dedication is paying off big time for you.
You are such an inspiration to us all!

Holly~~ I know your road trip is coming up soon, Please have a great time and stay safe on the roads!

To the rest of this amazing group a big hello also and keep on smiling :)

Ok here is what I had to eat so far today:

Breakfast~~ 1 cup FF yogurt = 2 points
~~ 1 cup Cereal (mixed in yogurt) =2 points

Lunch ~~ Subway 6 in Veggie w/cheese = 6points
~~ Baked Lays = 3 points
~~ Diet pepsi = 0

Dinner (still trying to decide)


Snacks ~~ Pep bar = 3 points


Total pt so far for day = 16 out of 27

See you all later !! :wave:

Nancy:df:

Holly,, we must have been posting at the same time!!! :lol:


Nancy

Hi All,

Ideal - I'm with you...I'm feeling fat today too. and I can't say it's the snow since it's now snowing here...I just ate too much since late last week :( .

It's been a very busy week. I have been trying to find tile for our master bedroom ensuite for the new house and I was having so much trouble. I just hate picking out these kinds of things, it's so hard to picture how it will look. Finally, yesterday I found something I like (and it's in stock- bonus).

Today I've started packing. We're planning on moving June 11th and while that's still 2 months away, I have so much to go through before packing it all. I really don't want to take 12 years of junk with me to the new house.

One good thing...all this busyness has kept me from eating too much. I did my workout this morning and really should take the dog for a walk yet before the kids get home from school. I have a hard time getting all the water in though. I don't like to drink too much if I know I won't be close to a bathroom.

Have a great holiday Snowey. I'm sure the time will just fly by and you'll be home with hubby before you know it.

Aphil: looking forward to seeing your new avtar. I loved your post about your hubby's comments on your new figure...too cute. Isn't that just like a man to make a backwards compliment like that.

I better get going here and get back to work. Take care all...

Hi everyone,
My son's birthday party is the 19th (his birthday is the 18th) and I am 2 pounds away from my mini-goal of 175 by then...let's everyone cross fingers and hope that I make it! :)
We learned some new choreography last night in class to the song that we have been using...we have about half of the song choreographed now.
My teacher said she is very impressed with our class...that we are learning all of the new moves and combinations so well...she said that our technique is excellent, and that the only way she can tell that we are still newer students, is that we are not as relaxed and confident acting as the advanced students...she can tell we are still "concentrating." :lol:
Aphil

Vermont Mom, that just burns me up! Oh well. Live and learn. But all the advice she was given was still good as gold!
Missy

Good morning all!

Aphil, I meant to comment a few posts ago about your continued success!!:bravo: :strong: That is SO great about getting the compliments! and yes, that sure keeps ya going strong!

Nancy, you are TOO funny - about your blender-combed hair!:lol: :lol: Wow, you leave tomorrow...will you have access to a computer so you can keep in touch with us? If not, have a WONDERFUL trip!!!! and like I said, I'll be within a few hundred miles of you, I think, from the 29th to the second of May, in the St. Louis area. I'll be thinkin' of ya!

I'm glad the tanning is working well for you. I'm just getting a darker pink (like a roasted piglet :D) instead of tan. oh well. Our place doens't have a stand-up, just the lie-down, and I see along my sides some un-exposed area. My original idea was just to get the warmth and seratonin therapy, but I agree, colored flesh just looks better, to me, than white!

Hello to everyone else! The sun in shining here, and I'm "willing" the thermometer to climb upwards, so we can ride!

Your friend,
Holly

Hi,
Holly-I worked with tanning for many years in the salon, and I found the best advice for getting your sides a little better is to lie half of the time with your arms down next to your sides, and the other half with them up above your head...your arms will not get quite as much as usual, but they will get some sun, and your sides that are usually blocked more by your arms will get some color...and your armpits will get some as well-which normally wouldn't much-so you will be more evened out.
I have been holding steady at 177 all week...hopefully the numbers will go down again soon.
Today is my cardio day...so I plan on dancing...we are going to start using finger cymbals (zils) in class in about 3-4 weeks, so I am excited about that. I have been using them at home, learning a few rhythms...it will be nice to use them with all of the other women. I love dancing with props...I am really looking forward to someday dancing with a sword...learning to balance it on my chest, side of my hip, thigh, and even head! :s: When I can balance it on my head, that will DEFINITELY be my avatar here!
My daughter has been so excited about Raiden's upcoming birthday...she has been counting the days. We are doing his party in a construction theme this year. It is my biggest thrill to always find a really cool theme and totally do the whole place up outrageous. (For the newbies. Jasmine's last party was Disney Princess-she had a cake we designed to look like a castle, with tiny Disney figurines around it, and I made her a costume like the ball gown Cinderella wore in the movie.) All of the plates and cups and balloons and such are black and Tonka Truck yellow...with Tonka style trucks on them. I found some real yellow and black "Caution-Construction Zone" tape, and we are going to string it all over the house. His candles are shaped like little orange road cones...and I found some cheap yellow hard hats at the Dollar General to lay around as centerpieces for only a dollar. Would you believe, I actually found a brand new grey sweatshirt for Raiden at the Goodwill that says in the same yellow and black (like a road sign) "Caution: I am Two." Talk about actually jumping up and down in the silly thrift store! :lol:
My kids don't usually get stuff or toys at Wal-Mart and such when we go each week, like some kids do. We like to save it all up for Christmas, birthdays, etc. and do it up then...to make the times when they do get things really special. We like to keep holidays special. My uncle's kids-it seems like they have new clothes and toys all of the time, and when their birthdays roll around and they open their stuff, it is just like any other day-they just aren't that excited...and it is so hard to buy them a present-because they already have everything! :?:
Well ladies-I need to run. I have to get my workout in and get to the sewing...everyone have a wonderful day, exercise and drink plenty of water. When you feel like you are ready to binge or you don't feel like exercising-think of all of the reasons that youw ant to be fit, and think of why you are worth it-why you deserve better.
Aphil

Hello everyone... It's great to hear from everyone again! Today is my company's annual meeting and I am introducing the board of directors and giving an award to the circuit court judge. I feel so much more confident now that I am 35# lighter than last year. And I have to say my outfit looks great, too! Wish you could all see me...ha ha! Aphril, I appreciate your encouraging words for us, I've really feltl stressed these last few days and just want to go out and eat candy, chips, etc... last night my daughter was eating Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby ice cream-my fave! I ate 3 bites, I wanted more, but at least I did stop after 3! Why couldn't I have been born thin instead of rich?-just kidding! I'm far from both! Have a good day and drink alots of water....:lol:

Well girls, the airport shuttle picks me up at a very early 5 30 am . I just wanted to pop in bye for now, but Ill be sure to check in the first chance I get and say hello. I am sure the six weeks will fly by so fast . I cant wait to see my kids and grandson!!!!

Take care everyone and keep smiling :)

Nancy :df:

Have a great time Snowey!

Ideal - How did the big meeting go? I can imagine how great it must feel to be down 35 lbs. Good for you for not eating more of your daugher's ice cream. Sometimes all it takes is a few bites to satisfy the craving...the only hard part is stopping after just a few bites and letting the satisfaction sink in before polishing off the whole thing :^: .

I like the idea of tanning this white flesh. In fact the girls at my Curves class were talking about just that as well. I doubt I'll ever go though...my hubby is a little bit paranoid of the sun and the whole tanning business. He's got a good point though about the rays damaging your skin. Aphil, since you worked in a tanning salon, do you know the effects of using the tanning bed? Is it as bad as the real sunlight? Maybe I can gather some information and convince hubby it's not so bad. He's a shade lover (and looks like Casper the Friendly Ghost in the summer time too :lol: , other than his neck and forearms that get really brown from working outside).

Today I did my Curves workout and I walked the dog twice for 1/2 an hour each time. Phew, I'm pooped. My food intake wasn't so great though, so hopefully the exercise will make up for some of the food. My son lost his first molar, so I took the boys to the ice cream/candy store for a celebration treat after school. I gave in and had an ice cream cone with Hedgehog ice cream. It wasn't even that good :( .

Last night I sat for about an hour pouring over colour charts trying to pick wall colours for the house. I finally settled on a nice yellow shade (not too bright, or so I thought). I met the cabinet guy today and they had just started a new kitchen in their showroom that had the exact colour I had chosen, only I didn't realize it was my colour until he mentioned it. Oh My Goodness, was it ever YELLOW :eek: - bright as the sun :cool:. Those little itty bitty chips the paint stores put out for samples just don't give you a good idea for what the colour will look like on the wall. Now I have to find another colour...oh well, this is supposed to be enjoyable, but I'm too afraid of it all looking awful when it's done. I suppose I should be grateful I found out how it would look before all my walls were covered with it :o .

Well, I better run and get these kids off to bed. They've been staying up tonight to watch our Canucks in the playoff hockey game. We're not doing to good :( .

willbe-you can email me at [email protected] if you want some decorating help...I am good with colors. ;) I guess I am the designated Martha Stewart of this group...:lol: What color are the cabinets and flooring? What is the style or "look" that you are going for?
As far as the tanning beds...I am more concerned with your husband needing to wear sunscreen or sunblock while he is working outside, than I am with tanning bed safety. Skin cancer in men is predominately in their head, neck and areas exposed over years of working outdoors-such as construction workers, farmers, etc.
In my experience, I find that tanning beds are safer than actual sunbathing for a few reasons. The sun has three different type of UV rays...tanning beds only have two-the lesser of the three. If you get burned outdoors, it is always more painful and peels more than if you get a little burned in a tanning bed. Another reason I believe that tanning beds are safer is that you have more control over your environment-outdoors the intensity of teh sun can greatly vary day to day-have you ever noticed that on certain days you can be outside all day and not get burned-and other days you come in after only an hour from mowing the yard looking like a beet, and in pain and peeling all week? They actually have ozone cautions on the news sometimes when it is pretty bad...the suns rays depend on the time of day, the month, the ozone layer over your area, and many other factors.
In a tanning bed, you have more control...you if you are light complected and go to a salon where they have 20 minute beds, you can start your first session at 5 minutes...if you do fine, then the next time you can go for 10-and slowly build up to going the whole 20 minutes over a few weeks. I usually start at 10 minutes for 4 or 5 sessions, and then 15 minutes for the next 4 or 5-and finally to 20. I tan really well once I get a good base tan, but that is the part that is slow going for me. Redheads and other very fair people may need to stay at the 5 or 10 minutes a little longer-and others that have darker complexions-Italian or Native American backgrounds for instance-may be able to go 10 minutes a time or two, and then right to teh 15 or 20 minute session.
I definitely do not recommend that you go the entire 20 minutes the first time...it is best to go about every other day while you are "building" your tan, and then you can maintain your tan after you have it by going once or twice a week for the 20 minute session. There is no need to have unlimited tanning after you have a good tan and continue to go every single day...you know, the people who look like beef jerky-we had a few of those in the salon. Unlimited tanning packages are great for the first month or two when you are getting your tan and going more often to build it...I usually spent the first month getting my tan-and after that maintaining it with once or twice a week. I have actually worked in 4 different salons with tanning beds and booths-3 salons, and one place was tanning only-when I was going to cosmetology school, working my way through it.
I still wear sunscreen when I am swimming outdoors, and slather it on my husband and kids religously. My husband is half Native American-so I usually just use SPF4 on him-enough to keep him from getting burned...but the kids get SPF8 (they both get dark like Jason), and my caucasian butt gets SPF8+ when we camp or swim outside. :lol:
I just finished my lower body strength training...and had a little fruit salad for breakfast...cut up banana with some pineapple chunks in juice, and a few grapes tossed in-I am getting ready to do my abs and upper body-and then I have a massive amount of sewing to do-I found out there is a pretty big sci-fi convention in July-and I need to get these dance costumes done, so I can get some more things made for Jason and I...there is a party one night there that is themed "Moulin Rouge Night." :devil: I have suddenly gotten the urge to wear fishnet hose, some black granny boots, long gloves, and something with tons of ruffles and sequins....
Aphil

I exercised! :eek:

It's a miracle! ;)

For the first time since I found out I was pregnant, almost a year ago, I have motivated myself to exercise.... really!
I pulled out my Denise Austin DVD... power yoga or whatever its called.. and I did the pilates segment. Its only 20 minutes long and yes, I had trouble with it. I guess this happens after a year of no exercise.. blah! But, I'm hoping to keep up with it and improve. I'd actually like to get a new Pilates DVD.. I'm not crazy about the DA one... but until I prove to myself that I'll actually do it, I guess I shouldn't spend money for a new one!!
Any suggestions for a good workout DVD when I get to that point? Nothing aerobic-ish.. more pilates or toning workouts?

I'm also being good with my goal this week.. and drinking more water than usual and only diet beverages otherwise (cept my daily cup of tea or coffee.. i can't drink those without real sugar!)... and it appears to be showing on the scale.. back down 1.5 lbs as of this morning.. hopefully its a number I can record on Monday!! :D

Sorry that I don't respond to everyone else specifically.. I'm lucky I have enough time to come read and post.. I feel soooo worn out!! This is why the exercise is a miracle ;) But, things are starting to feel easier already, now that Kai is 2 1/2 months old and sleeping 7+ hours most nights! What a wonderful child! :lol:
Hopefully things just keep improving!!

I got me a new digital camera for my birthday.. been playing around with it.. perhaps I can get my hubby to snap a photo of me this weekend to use as my NEW 'before' photo... and if I'm feeling really daring, I'll share it with everyone ;)

Hope ya'll are doing great and keep it up!! I'm still 'using' you guys for my motivation. Hope you don't mind!

Christine
174/174/130 (yes, I'm back up to 174)
mini-goal: 169.. I CAN DO IT!!

Howdy
 

Way to go Silence on getting back to exercising. Sorry I can't help you with any good videos. Keep up the good work. Slow and steady is the key.

How is everybody else?

Missy:dizzy:

Hi everyone :D

Aphil: thanks for the offer on the decorating. I may take you up on it yet. I feel like I've got a handle on things right now (my SIL gave me a colour suggestion which is really like)...but am just waiting for the cabinet guy to drop off a sample of the cabinet wood with the stain on it so I can work on the colours. My husband is a builder and in the early years of our marriage we built and moved, built and moved...and I have the experience. Only thing is, we've been in this house now for 12 years and I haven't put a house together for so long that I'm kind of nervous. So far it's looking great though. On the outside we went with a barn red cedar siding, white trim and we'll have black shuttters, black front door and garage doors. I'm pretty excited....can you tell???
Thanks also for the tanning advice. Hubby uses #30 sports sunscreen so I think he's pretty safe, even though he gets pretty brown on the neck and arms. He's just very concious of the sun's bad rays and he doesn't want me to be foolish since I LOVE to sit in the sun and tan.

Silence: Congrats on the excercise and good food choices. WTG girl! It must be hard to fit it all in with such a new babe. I mean, I find figuring what I'm going to eat and keeping track always takes a fair bit of time.

I had my quilting group over today and my fingers are aching!!!! We always have a coffee break and someone brings something delectable to eat. I make tea and lattes...but I haven't been able to resist the goodies yet. At least I make the latte's with 1% milk. I just have to add a little sugar. They stayed for lunch as well today since one of the girls just had a baby girl 2 months ago. They're having her dedicated at church on Mother's Day and she's asked our little quilting group to sing a song (we all go to church together and have known each other a very long time). We've been practicing, but I'm really nervous about singing in front of the church. We're a very close group and we'll probably all start crying. This baby is a bit of a miracle. After about 17 years of trying and even doing the in-vitro thing (they got their 11 year old son that way) they were suddenly pregnany last June. Little Hannah is now here and is pure joy. Anyway...I gave the ladies lunch of hamburger soup (good choice, lots of veggies) and cornbread (bad choice, especially with butter). I will not reveal how many slices of cornbread I ate (yes, I added butter), but let's just say I really must go work out this afternoon. Of course, all my girlfriends are slim (even the new mom) and I'm the only chubby one in the group. Don't you just hate it when you're the only fat person around?

Anyway, I'd better get going here and get some work done. I've just been visiting and quilting all morning, and now I'm sitting here at the computer. Talk to ya later...

Playoff Hockey!!!
 

Hey Girls!!

Another good week for me.... I am past the 150 mark!! down to 148.5!! Woohooo!!! I took measurements this morning and I am finally losing in the abs!! I put on my power suit yesterday because I had a job interview.... and looks like I will need to buy a SMALLER power suit!! It was loose in the back & butt!! Gotta love strutting into an interview in a suit that is a bit too big, when last year I could not even do up the zip!!

Willbe - OMG... I never noticed you were from BC!! How awesome!! I grew up around Edmonton and lived there before I moved to Aus.... I am sitting here in the southern hemisphere, listening to the Oilers and Canucks games on the internet... wearing my #35 Salo Home jersey!! How geekey eh?? I have an uncle in Cloverdale (suburb of Vancouver) and one near Kelowna too. I love hockey and have missed it heaps since I moved here. We have cable tv, (satellite is not big here) but only ESPN2 and we saw alot of Detroit games this year, not a single canadian team :( not even Ottawa!! When I was home at Xmas, I went to an Oilers/Canucks game... the one the Canucks won!!! he he he

Silence - I have 4 yoga DVD's that I love... the ones with Rodney Yee and Susane Deason, as well as a Yoga Zone for back strength which is my favourite. Sitting on my butt in front of a computer all day is havoc for my back. I really love yoga. I have a Tae Bo DVD too which I rarely use anymore since I started going to the gym and taking a combat class there..... but I don't think that is what you are looking for???

Aphil - SPF8??? They don't even sell that here in Aus..... I wear SPF 30 and still get burned!!! Very evil sun down here! I have been meaning to ask which Bellydancing DVD/videos you recommend... My work schedule is too crazy to sign up for classes, but I would like to try it out.... any suggestions?

Snowey - Have a great holiday!!

Holly - I am sending you some sunshine!!! and warmth!!! Not much longer until the great trip!! Rubber side down girlfriend!

Hi to everyone else!! Hope you are all on plan, exercising, drinking water, getting ready for your nothern hemisphere summer!!!!

Nola.

Hi everyone!
Silence-some good videos that I like are the new Denise Austin toning ones-I think the are called "Get Fit Fast" and they have them for upper body, lower body, and abs...cardio is very important to do in your plan, but if you don't like the traditional aerobics style of videos...there are some pretty cool Latin dance ones, Hula ones, and different styles like that at Collage video's website. If you ever shop at Ebay of half.com-check out Denise's Hit the Spot videos-I have them all. Each tape has three different 10 minute workouts-there is a tape for each-abs, buns, thighs, and upper body. You don't get as bored, because you get to switch around the 3 workouts a bit. It is great with young kids, because if you don't have time to do an entire 30 or 45 minute toning video-you can do your abs for 10 minutes during a nap...and your upper body later tht day for 10 minutes while she is in the baby swing, and so on.
On the flexibility front-I have finally succeeded in improving my flexibility enough so that when I sit with my legs spread on the floor, I can actually lie forward with my forehead resting on the floor. I have been working on my yoga and stretching for quite a while...now I have to set another flexibility goal. :chin:
Aphil

Hello!

Kanola - CONGRATS on being down more! and your smaller measurements!!! Way to GO!!!:bravo: :cb: :cp:

and Aphil, wow, that is FLEXIBLE!! congrats to you, also, on achieving that goal!! :strong: :cp:

Hello to everyone else! :)

We finally have had alot of snow meltage, even though there is still lots in the woods, most of it is gone from the yard. So soon there will be yard clean-up, from the ravages of winter.

TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF CONSISTANT EXERCISE - yesterday Joe and I rode (motorcycles) to Laconia, NH, just for kicks - it was almost 300 miles round trip - and I am NOT SORE at ALL today!!! All the working out all winter has paid off. I am so glad!!! This is also good to affirm to me that I shall be OK for our long ride in two weeks.

Riding through Franconia Notch Park was awesome! There is a couple of places where you can turn off and see "The Man in the Mountain" - a perfect profile of a man, naturally found in the stone at the top of a mountain. Cool!

Have a great day, all! If I get my "have-to-do's" done in time, we're going to go for another ride this afternoon.

Your friend,
Holly:strong:

Spring has Sprung
 

Yipee. It's about 80 degrees here in sunny Colorado. My dh and I got up early and went for a hike up in Boulder. Even though I've been back on the work-out track for a few days, that week off seemed to diminish my fitness level. The trail was still eaiser than the first time, but a little harder than the second. But maybe that was because it was warmer and I was carrying the backpack for the first time. Who knows? Hubby wants to try new trails, but I like sticking to what I know. Maybe next week.

Tip for the day: grilling a boco burger outside with mesquite wood chips taste just like any other burger! Yum.


Hope all is well with everyone!

Missy

Hi everyone!
We have been outside all day setting up the kid's new swingset. It is one of those wooden ones like they sell kits for at larger home improvement stores and lumber yards...it has a spaceship theme-the tarp that goes over the wooden clubhouse part looks like a spaceship nose and has a little fake control panel inside and a steeing wheel-and Raiden's baby swing looks like a little ship. It is a pretty basic wooden model-2 swings, Raiden's toddler swing, and the clubhouse part at the end-but it is really nice. The kids were both so excited. There is room for one more thing to be added if we want, so maybe later we will add another novelty type swing, like the kind that 2 kids can ride at the same time.
I have the first of the costume tops almost done...it is going to be gorgeous-I can't wait for you all to see the finished product!
Speaking of the veggie burger-that reminds me-Burger King has a veggie burger now with reduced fat/calorie mayo...they have the nutrition info on their website-I have been meaning to try it.
Well, I must get back to the sewing table...lots to get finished!
Holly-that is great about your "training" for your big ride! I am sure that you will be able to "iron-butt" it on your upcoming trip no problem!
Aphil
Aphil

Hi Everyone. I hope you all have had a good weekend. I'm extremely jealous of those who had nice weather (80 degrees???) while it's pouring rain here. Get out the galoshes! :dizzy:

I've made a decision. It's high time I finally got on the band wagon and started watching what I eat. Enough of this pigging out business. I'm working hard at the workouts now (a great start) but I'll never lose weight if I don't also change my eating habits. I'm going to count calories (gotta do it the old fashioned way 'cause I hate diets :devil: ). With all your wisdom and experience can someone please tell me where to start. I mean...how many calories should I take in each day? With WW you start with more points and gradually decrease them as you lose weight, so it should work the same with calories. I'm 200 lbs (ooooh I also hate typing that) and I'm 5'4" tall. I am committing to exercise for 1/2 hour 3 times per week at the minimum, hopefully more. Any tips would be helpful to get me started. My one big concern is that I have my favorite recipes that will have all kinds of ingredients, but how do you figure all the calories? Do you work out each ingredient, add them up and divide by how many servings you think are in the recipe? Sounds like a lot of work. All you calorie counters out there probably have some good ideas. I'm telling you all this, because, well, you're my support group (duh) and if I tell you maybe I'll be more inclined to keep it up.

My SIL was just diagnosed with Celiacs disease. She will have to make all kinds of changes to her diet. She's a very "in-control" person (and skinny too, no wonder) and I figure if she can change her eating habits (which will have to be a lot more drastic than mine), then I can do it too. Heck, I only have to count calories, she has to cut out all kinds of basic foods (bread, muffins, crackers, cookies, pasta, rice...etc) from her diet.

Aphil: sounds like fun setting up that swing set. Isn't there a swing for you too. I love to swing...only problem is my big butt gets sore on those little swings they have at the schools (you know those rubber or canvan sling types?). Congrats on reaching a new level of flexibility, you could be one of those flexy bendy dolls. I bet that sure feels good. I hope you see that goal of 175 this week.

Vermont: Did you have a good ride today? What a trip to not be in pain after that long of a ride. My hubby's dream is to get a big road bike when he retires. He says I can ride on the back with him and we'll get one of this little side cars for the dog. Ha, I think I'd rather have my own bike thank you (the dog can ride with him:D. Actually, truth be told, I'd rather cruise around in a Winnebago :o .

Missy: You sure got a good workout today. Be adventurous and try some new trails. I think it would keep things interesting. You gotta enjoy the exercise you do. I love to hike, only problem is I get winded too quick. Hopefully that will change.

Kanola: WTG on your loss!!!! How great that must feel to be so close to your goal. And the suit being loose....just another one of those things that makes it all worth it I bet. And what a small world this is that you are from Edmonton, so close to BC. I know Cloverdale (drive through it all the time when I go visit my sister) and Kelowna of course, great holiday spot. I'm not really a hockey fan, but my kids and hubby, can't miss a Canucks game. I'll start watching if they keep doing well and stay in the playoffs. My dh bought me playoff tickets for my birthday a couple of years ago when the Canucks made it into the playoffs. I think he really bought them for himself, but I actually enjoyed the game. They're always better live.

Anyway, better toddle off to bed before I write a whole book here.

g'night all.

Willbe..I'm pretty detailed so if I make something, I do count each ingredient and then divide by the number of servings. For me the best way to start eating better is to make changes gradually. Try one thing at a time.

For instance give your breakfast a make-over one item at a time:

Regular:
2 eggs 140cal
scrambled in butter/mar 50-100cal
2 strips of bacon 80 cal
regular bread (2) 100+cal
buttered/ 50cal
reg jelly 50 cal

Modified:
1 egg & 1 egg beater 100cal
scrambled in non-stick pan & pam 0-5 cal
2 strips of turkey bacon 70 cal
wonder lite bread 80 cal
promise spread 5 cal
reduced sugar jelly 25 cal

regular breakfast total:470+cal
modified breakfast total: 200 cal...and a lot lower in fat

The best thing is try new things especially things you might keep up for the rest of your life. Some people can just eat egg whites. I'll never be able to do that..yuk. But I can eat one whole egg with one egg beater and if I'm really hungry two egg beaters with a whole egg and have more food, but less calories and less fat than two eggs.

A few years ago I couldn't stand diet soda, but now I can't stand regular. So try healthy things, but if you don't like it try it again after a few months. Taste buds change. Like the boca burger I mentioned...cooked inside, didn't like it very much. Crumbled it up and seasoned it with taco seasoning...it was okay. Seasoned it with italian seasonings and used it on a pita pizza..it was okay. So I had one left in the package...so I tried it on the grill...bingo! I may still try it in other recipes..but by trial and error I found one thing I know I will stick too (except those days when I must have beef!).

I've tried tofu recipies..still can't get with that. I can occassionally mix ground turkey with ground beef, but its not high on my list. Unless I'm dying for french fries, I have baked potato sticks. Once a month, I cook homemade vegetable soup (using whatever veggies are on hand) and freeze it in one cup servings. Depending on what I put in it the calories range from 50-90. Great to add on to a meal or eat in between meals when the old blood sugar starts to drop.

Of course you probably know all the little tidbits, like use artifical sweetner instead of sugar. Fat free milk instead of regular...but if you are not already doing that, start with 2% milk first! Otherwise it will be icky...at least that's how I was at first. And, although kinda expensive...frozen dinners can be a life saver for quick already calorie counted meals.

Other than make little changes like the above, eating more vegetables (I'm not a fruit person), and eat smaller portions of the higher calorie foods, I eat the same food. I always look for low-cal alternatives, but no real major changes.

To keep track of my calories and exercies I use performance diet software. It has a lot of things already counted and place to add new food.

Another thing that helps me, is that I have a palm pilot and I inputed everything under 350 calories at all my favorite fast food joints. That way when I'm out with dh and he wants fast food, I can make good choices.

One last thing..when you start counting..don't eyeball it...get out those measuring cups!

Good luck...hope this long book I wrote gives you some ideas.

Missy

Willbe-
As far as your calories are concerned, you can do the same as with WW. Right now at 200, you can start out at about 1800 calories a day and lose weight. You can keep doing this until you start to plateau-a plateau is not where you only lose a pound or 1/2 pound a week-that actually is a pretty normal and healthy weight loss. I mean when a few weeks goes by and you have stopped losing. After that, go down to 1650 or 1700...what you should never do is ever go below 1200 calories. You should also eat regularly, and not save all of your calories for one or two meals. You need your three meals and a small snack or two a day...I actually "graze"-where I eat pretty small meals and snacks, and eat just a little bit every couple of hours.
For your 1800 calories-you can split it up and eat quite often-
400 calories for breakfast
400 calories for lunch
600 calories for dinner
200 calorie snack
200 calorie snack
Your meals will not be exact-you may have 350 calories for breakfast, and 420 calories for lunch, etc. but it needs to be close to 1800 in the end. I would say 1750-1850 on average-trying to stay close. Try this for a few weeks, report your losses to us, continue to exercise-and I will let you know by your losses when I think you need to drop your calories a little bit.
As far as recipes...I have a calculator, and add up the calories in what I am preparing, and divide it by the servings. It may take a little bit at first, but soon it will be second nature. You may also soon realize that some foods are more filling for your calories...a Cadbury Creme egg, for instance-is 170 calories...for the same amount of calories I could have a bowl of flavored oatmeal-which is the more filling? That is the key if you find yourself hungry a lot...try to choose the larger, more filling foods for the calories.
If you don't like to add up everything-check out the recipes here on this website, as well as on the Shape and Fitness magazine sites. Most of them already say "such and such calories and 6 servings" at the bottom of the recipe. It has already been figured for you-a lot of healthier cookbooks are like that as well. I have looked through many of them and have a lot of them written down on recipe cards. Nancy actually has a GREAT crustless pumpkin pie recipe that she gave out in the fall-I will put it up here for you again:
Crustless pumpkin pie
1 15oz. can of pumpkin
1 12oz. can of evaporated skim milk
3 egg whites
1/2t. salt
3t. pumpkin pie spice
1t. vanilla
2/3c. sugar or Splenda sweetener
Pour mixed ingredients into a 9" glass pie pan sprayed with Pam. Bake at 400* for 15 minutes, reduce to 325* and bake another 45 minutes.
If using sugar-1/8 a pie is 135 calories, fat free, and 0.5 fiber grams
If using Splenda-1/8 a pie is 70 calories, fat free, and 0.5 fiber grams.
I used the Splenda sweetener-and it turned out really great. It is a great way to make a dessert for a gathering or a family dinner, that you are actually able to eat a slice of without guilt.

Here is another great recipe:
BBQ Quesadillas
8 6-7" flour tortillas
3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (12oz.) or 1 1/2 whole boneless breasts-cook and slice thin.
1/2c. BBQ sauce (I think dark, sweeter, smokier sauces like KC Masterpiece are best for this recipe-rather than tangier ones like Open Pit)
1/2c. chopped green bell pepper
1/4c. chopped onion
1 cup shredded Mexiacan style cheese
Pam Spray
Preheat the oven to 425*. Place chicken into a bowl and toss with sauce. Put 4 tortillas on a cookie sheet or baking stone, and coat evenly with chicken/sauce mixture. Top with vegetables and cheese and place second tortillas on top. Spray tortillas with Pam spray and bake 8-10 minutes until lightly browned. Cut each into 4 wedges.
Serves 8 (2 wedges per serving) 300 calories, and 10 grams of fat per 2 wedges.
These are really good-especially if you like BBQ chicken pizza and mexican foods. :)
I hope you try these out and enjoy them-I would also love it if you would all share some more recipes and their nutrition content...I am always looking for new recipe ideas.
Everyone have a great day-I am looking forward to my strength training workout today...everyone eat well, drink their water-and keep looing up! You are all gorgeous vibrant women!
Aphil
ps-I just found out when our 10 year class reunion is-it is in August! Yay! I was hoping it would be later in the year...so I can get even more fit...and be down another size or two. I definitely plan on wearing something totally wild to the reunion...:devil:

Remember ME!
 

Hi everybody! I have been reading all the posts and enjoying each one. I'm sorry I have not been very active...the semester is almost over and not soon enough. I plan to become very active starting May. My goal is to lose 30 lbs by the end of the year. I know that I can do it. I am already disgusted with my 200 lbs. My "love" handles are starting to peep out as they had before. I am just glad I know what I need to do in order to make it happen.

Well today I am sure didn't help me reach any goals. I celebrated all day today with TWO birthday cakes! They were yummy. Then my parents took me out to eat at a Chinese Restaurant...ugh. As my 6 year old so eloquently put it..."I'm about to blow!" It was too funny. I recieved a beautiful balloon bouquet at work from my parents. The ladies at work bought me a cake and a few presents and contributed to a gift certificate for Beall's. I was really surprised. I was so happy to have all of them share in my celebration. It was a wonderful day.

I had better get going...I have classes in the morning. I hope you all had a wonderful day!

Hugs & Smiles, Kina

Well, day 1 of the new lifestyle (I don't want to call it diet) is over. I have a headache!!!!! Do any of you ever get a headache on the first day of a diet (oops, there I said it). I always do and it drives me insane. I get really grumpy when I have a headache and when I'm hot. Right now I'm cold, but MY HEAD HURTS! Almost time for bed and I'll be better tomorrow.

Thanks for all the tips Aphil and Missymont. They are very helpful. In Canada, food manufacturers aren't required to put all the nutritional data on their labels. That requirement is in the works, but for now it's optional. So, I went out and bought a calorie counter today. That must be printed in the US as well, cause a lot of the brands listed are not here in Canada. Oh well, I'll figure it all out yet.

Missy, you mentioned that you use a diet software program for keeping track of your food. What is the name of that program and is it downloadable?

Here is my menu for today:

BF: 1 1/2 cups cheerios 180 Cal
1 tsp sugar (I have to get me some Equal) 15 cal
3/4 cup 1% milk (always have 1%) 75 cal
large banana 120 cal

Snack: n/f yogurt 56 cal

Lunch: (I was on the road all day)
McDonalds hamburger 280 cal
n/f blueberry muffin (dog got at it when I left the van so I didn't eat it - Oooooh was I mad at him) 0 cal

Snack: 2 slices toast 180 cal
1 Tbsp peanut butter 120 cal

Dinner: New recipe from a low fat cookbook called Looney Spoons (yay, I didn't have to figure the calories) called Orient Express - pasta, chicken, veggie type stirfry dish 568 cal
1 small slice french bread 70 cal
1 tsp butter 35 cal

Snack: 7 ritz crackers 129 cal
diet coke 0 cal

Total 1797 calories for the day!!!!!!!!

That wasnt' even too hard. I also did my 30 minute Curves workout and took the dog for a brisk 30 minute walk. This fat will be disappearing in no time (I hope).

Better get to bed so I can get rid of this headache.

Ciao!

Good morning everyone!

willbe - you cracked me up about the dog eating the muffin! ("0 calories") :lol: Way to go on your first days of cutting down! Aphil always has super knowledge to share, and missymont had quite alot of good advice also!

I could offer a few tips that have helped me...if you like green salad, put alot on your plate at dinner (but only if you can eat it with a very small amount of reduced fat dressing, or "naked"). And I have always "wolfed" down my meals - probably from all the meals at work I've had to eat standing over the garbage pail :rolleyes: so the trick of chewing each mouthful at least 20 times (thirty is better, for me) really helps to extend the mealtime, and gets you closer to that 20 minutes that it takes for the enjoyment of the food to reach the brain.

I became the "Green Bean Queen" of the house here; green beans are filling, fibrous and low calorie!

When you're choosing a veggie for dinner, we have to realize that corn and peas, while "posing" as veggies, are actually very starchy. If we have corn or peas at supper, I eliminate the starch (such as potato, rice, etc.). If the kids are "starving" I let them have some whole wheat bread.

Missymont is right - eyeballing is not accurate enough! Keep measuring cups and spoons handy.

Drinking enough water is very important, also. Are you able to drink the eight 8-ounce glasses a day? remember that diet soda or iced tea or Crystal LIght doesn't count as water intake. I like my water cold with meals; but can chug it down quicker in-between if it's not as cold. I also find it handy to just keep the water bottles everywhere - set one in the kitchen, by your computer, in the car, bedside table...make it easy to just reach out and gulp some down.

The water is just good for your insides; helps our skin stay a little less wrinkle-prone (yay!) and does help to fill the hungry feeling.

Missymont - great hike! I would say that because it was warmer, and carrying the backpack would make the exertion more difficult. Hooray to you!

Kina - sounds like you had a birthday!!! :hb: :flow1: :balloons: Sounds like the people who love you gave you a nice day!!!

Aphil - the kids will love that playset! Sounds great. Reunion in August - you will be the hottie there!:devil: :cool: :D

My husband has heard about the Atkins diet from a co-worker - and has started it. It goes against like EVERYTHING that I do - sigh - but I am glad that he wants to try. We walked alot last year; and the roads just haven't been good enough until this past week to start that again. If we can go walking together, at least I know that is sound.

But I've had to take our younger son aside and tell him that I don't think that Dad's diet plan is completely sound; but we will continue with our meals the way they have been, and give support to Dad.

Kanola - thank you for wishing the warmer weather for us; 60 degrees yesterday, and up to 70 today! It's still spring in Vermont,which means snow showers are possible through May, but it's a start!

I got my Joe Rocket pants finally yesterday; with those and the jacket, I am SET for cold/wet riding conditions! Bike covers are still on order; have my new boots (dingoes - ladies engineer boots - they look like they would kick some SERIOUS butt :lol: ); we got a bike lock, small but piercing alarm, new T-bag...getting set... 12 days to go!!

My lawn looks so bad from the ravages of winter, it would make you go blind to look at it :lol: those who live in cold, snowy climates know about the TONS of sand that gets on your lawn, the harshness of the salt, etc. It's almost warm enough for me to start the raking! I don't know whether to be excited or not :D

Hello to everyone else!!! Have a GREAT day!

Your friend, Holly

willbe-you did fabulous on your first day! I am so proud of you! You also cracked me up with the dog and the muffin...maybe that as a blessing in disguise! :lol:
Holly-great advice about the water...your husband is starting Atkin's huh? Men seem to find Atkin's a lot easier than women-they as a whole don't tend to have the sugar addiction like women do, at least not as much. I don't personally recommend Atkin's-if you want low carb, there are other plans out there like Protein Power and the Zone that allow for more carbohydrates, which I think is essential. If he wants to try it out, all you can do is support him, and if it gets him to exercise regularly, then that is a positive. :)
Kina-sounds like your celebration was great! I am glad that you had a good day!
The kids had a blast on the swingset yesterday-Jason made a sandbox out of the square bottom frame under the "clubhouse" by lining it with the thick plastic sheeting that you use when you landscape, to keep the grass out of rocks, etc. and filling it with sand. It worked perfectly-needless to say we stripped them down in the garage last night, and had a pile of sand out there from out of their clothes...:D
I am really looking forward to the class reunion at the end of summer...I am hoping to be in a size 13/14 by then...although an 11/12 would be even better! (I was about an 11/12 my senior year in high school)I am also looking forward to our annual Ren Faire anniversary trip in October...(to the newbies, my husband and I had a renaissance medieval themed wedding, and we go to Ohio each October for our anniversary at a large ren faire, and dress up and have fun all weekend.) Last year I went all regal and royalty in dress...but I think this year I may go for more of a "wench: or "gypsy" style look...ya know, with your "assets" popping out of the top of the dress.... ;)
Well, I better get going. I have tons of housework to do, have to do my abwork-the rest of my workout will be tonight in class, and I need to get this top finished up to bring tonight.
Everyone have a fabulous day!
Aphil

It has been fun reading all the latest posts here. I have been traveling for work since Thursday. I have been from Wisconsin to Conneticut and from there to Texas and back to Wisconsin! Alot of food has passed through these lips this weekend...but I wieghed in at WW last night and was down 4.4 pounds!!!! This is actually for two weeks, since last week we had a snow storm here and our meeting was cancelled. Yesterday it was 88 degrees here, what a difference a week makes! I tried a great recipes last night that I want to share:

Chicken Quesidillas

1 chicken breast-chopped up, 1 can healthy request cream of chicken soup, 1 can chopped green chilis, 1/4 cup low-fat cheese and some chili powder. Mix this all together and spread on half of a low-fat tortilla. Fold over the other half and grill on a George Foreman grill. I served with salsa and fat-free refried beans. It was so good and filling.

Let me know if you try it... have a great day everyone!;)

Just an added note: don't use all the soup, just enough to make everything stick together. This will make about six quesidillas.

Happy Birthday Kina.

Willbe: you can download the Performance Diet software at healthkeeper.com. Its a free trial. It cost 29.95 to get the unlock code so you can have access to the whole program. With that you also get all the online support like at e-diet, eating plan, etc. You can also buddy up and have someone join for free with you. I have to be honest about my dishonesty. I downloaded the free trial and then searched the web for an unlock code. Since I didn't pay for it, I didn't get a special password to utilize the online services, but the software itself is very good.

Vermontmom: maybe you're hubby will come around when he realizes how expensive the Atkins diet can be! Not to mention boring. Hang in there!

Have a happy day all.

Thanks Ladies for the wonderful birthday wishes.

Someone mentioned Atkins...I tell you my husband followed Atkins for a while and lost close to 40 lbs in a matter of 2 months. He also would get exercise daily. He would watch the carbs he ate. I have to admit I tried it myself and I always felt bloated and it did get boring really quick. So now I try to just balance my meals equally and sensibly.

Missy~~~that Performance Diet sounds interesting. I may look into it myself. Thanks for mentioning it!

IP (Ideal Person)~~~Those chicken quesadillas sound so yummy. Wow down 4.4 lbs even with all the travel food. That is amazing! Bravo to you; you obviously were not over doing it on the amounts you were eating.

Amy~~~What great timing for the swing set. Our kids would like a trampoline and they just might get it some time this summer. Well after we get the van fixed actually.

Holly~~~60 degree weather is that normal for April? That is something we did get some cool temps the other day but it only lasted for a short while. In Texas cooler temps are always welcomed with open arms.

Willbe!~~~Sometimes my body reacts with headaches when I have over exerted myself in exercise or have taken something out of my usual food intake. For instance...bread taken out of my life will cause a headache. As I mentioned if I exercise more than usual which will cause my heart to work a little harder and maybe have me breathing a little deeper, something I am not use to, it will certainly cause like a brain rush which then give me a head ache. I hope you are feeling better by now.

I hope I didn't leave anyone out. It was great being able to communicat with you all. I have a big project for my Payroll Accounting class so I will get out of here!

Hugs & Smiles, Kina

The USDA now has their complete nutrient database available to download to your computer or pda for free at : http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/srch/search.htm

Well, day 2 is now done and I did OK again. I actually logged only 1300 calories, but I knew I was going to a "ladies tea" tonight where we would have little itty bitty finger sandwiches and sweets along with our tea. I wanted to make sure I had some space left so I could have something. I had a few little sandwiches (they maybe totalled one regular sandwich, but there was not much filling in them), I resisted all the sweets and had a couple cups of tea with a tiny bit of sugar. I'm sure I stayed within my alloted 500 calories. The headache didn't return today either, which I'm very thankful for, as is my family (did I mention how grouchy I get when I have a headache? :mad: ). I drank all my water as well (where's the closest bathroom, I gotta go...). Yesterday when I was buzzzing around all day in my van, I had to preplan where all the bathrooms were so I could hit them. I needed every one of them too.

Kina: Happy Belated birthday. Sorry I missed mentioning it yesterday. My sister also tried the Atkins diet, lost 20 lbs in no time, but has gained it all back :( .

Missy: Thanks for the tip on the Performance software. I've downloaded the trial, now I just have to take time to figure the program out. So do you happen to know where another sneaky person could get an unlock code :devil: ? (Don't tell anyone I asked that, K?) I'm also downloading the USDA nutrient database as I type.

Vermont: Sounds like you're raring to go for the biking trip. With your new bod, iron butt, and fancy schmancy duds you're going to be a babe on wheels. I hope you have a great time preparing for the big day!

Ideal: WTG on your losses. That is absolutely fabulous!!!!:bravo: Thanks for that chicken quesidilla (did I spell that right?) recipe. I'll have to try it. Any idea how many calories? Actually, I'll have to figure it out anyway since we can't get low fat tortillas up here in the Great White North (actually it rained again today). You Americans have such a great selection of low fat and diet foods, not to mention your great labelling laws. It must help a lot. I may have to nip down to Point Roberts to their little Marketplace and check out some of the options there. We're really so close to the border that I don't have an excuse, do I?

To everyone else: Thanks for the comments and encouragement. The recipes and tips too. I have been measuring and weighing my food, drinking all my water, and writing everything down. I'm not going to step on the scale until at least Friday. Since it's Easter weekend coming up, and our family celebrates it BIG TIME, I will have a tough time. We're going to the inlaws on Friday for a big turkey feast, and then my family on Sunday, another feast, but lots of salads (and not the good kind...potato, coleslaw, you know, all the gooey kinds). It will be hard, but I plan to keep my intake low during the day and will make good choices at the shindigs. I hopefully will see some results before the weekend but will weigh again Monday to make sure I didn't lose all my headway.

My download has completed so I'm going to go check out the new stuff.

Ciao.
P.S. Funny how I don't notice I made any spelling mistakes until my post goes up and I reread it. I have to go back and fix it so I don't look like a dumkopf :lol: .

Good morning all!

Hi Kina, always nice to hear from you!! We actually had a freakishly warm day here yesterday, almost 80! That was record-breaking. Normally, in aril, there is still plenty of snow in the woods and on the mountains, but the snow in the yards and driveways is pretty much gone. So usual temps are in the low 50's but there is always the chance of lingering snow showers through May :eek:

Willbe, congrats :bravo: :cb: on doing so well for your second day! Yes, the bathroom visits can be a pain...as your body adjusts to the new intake of water, it won't be SO frequent in the future. That was VERY wise and smart of you to "plan" for the tea party!! That is exactly what one needs to do, with our plan for losing/maintaining. You didn't deprive yourelf of the nice occasion, and special treat; yet you didn't overdo either. GREAT!!

Yes, the family dinner coming up on Sunday will be a challenge. We know you can do it! Maybe have a green salad before going, to help take the edge off your appetite...and you can have small tastes of the gooey salads. It helps to think that, if you successfully resist some tempting morsel, that you are NOT denying yourself of something; you are making a concious (sp?) choice to feel and look great!

Thank you all for the comments on Atkins. I have this small resentment, I think, 'cause traditionally DH goes for the gimmick - you would not believe the $$$ spent over the years on exercise equipment that just sits...bikes, rowers, stepper, two-station gym. And I feel resentment that he is buying and preparing these "special" foods that aren't part of the family plan...but I should be glad that he is at least trying, I guess.

And I feel like a witch, because through the years he has always supported me, and told me I'm beautiful no matter what I look like. And supported me with encouragement and compliments with my exercising/eating right. SO, until he breaks our bank account by buying all this MEAT :p I will support him. As I saw in a post by Aphil somewhere else, it's just the first two weeks that are intensive no carbs, then limited after that.

Hello to everyone else! Hae a great day, get some exercise, drink water, make good choices, and enjoy life!

Your friend,
Holly

Hi everyone!
Holly-even with the 2 week induction period of the Atkin's diet-make sure that your husband is eating the few carbs that he is allowed-the salad vegetables, and I believe green beans are allowed as well...and he is allowed eggs...so have him eat some of those-they are much cheaper than meat! :lol:
Well, Easter is this weekend...my son's birthday party is Saturday with the cake and all...and Sunday is dinner at my inlaw's...here is what I plan to do:
We are having dinner at my inlaw's after my son't party-when everyone else leaves. I already know that it is tacos-which she does not prepare healthy enough for my standards-so I will be bringing a little cooler bag with my water, diet soda, some fruit, and a couple of healthy things to eat at the party, and while everyone is having dinner.
For Easter dinner Sunday, I am bringing a tray of fresh fruit as a dessert alternative to all of the baked goods that will be there-grapes, cut up melon, etc. There is usually lonesome salad there, and sometimes green beans, so I am counting on that...I will be bringing a packet of fat free diet dressing in my purse-because I know all they will have is regular. I can have salad, green beans, fruit for dessert-and I will allow myself ONE small ice cream parlor sized scoop of either noodles or mashed potatoes or a small slice of ham, or whatever they have that I decide I can't resist-but I will choose ONE thing-whatever it is that strikes me the most-and stick to that. I find that special occasions are much easier if I have a plan going in-rather than not thinking beforehand until I see all of the food there.
Planning, planning, planning is the key...we often find that we get into the most trouble when we think with our tummies, instead of our heads. :) When we go to Applebee's on our date nights-I plan in advance to order one of their low fat low calorie items,and not even glance at the specials or the rest of the menu...ours has 5 or 6 entree choices for me-so I have a choice-and stay on plan.
It all just takes planning, and getting used to planning. I have Jason trained now-that if he stops by Dairy Queen he picks me up a sugar free fat free ice cream bar instead of some calorie laden treat...he just does it automatically now.
Habit is one of the main reasons we get fat-we get into a habit of eating too much, not watching portion sizes, not exercising...get into the habit of picking up water and diet soda at the store instead of regular, get into the habit of exercising first thing in the morning or a soon as you get home from work...when you make healthy choices a habit-it soon becomes as natural as brushing your teeth or showering...
(I am assuming you all do those things... :lol: )
Have a good day everyone!
Aphil

Hi all :)

Today was another good day. I hope they don't end, but I know the really tough ones will come yet. I did my Curves workout, and took the dog for 2 short walks totalling over 30 minutes. I even kept my calories to 1550. Don't groan, but I didn't mean to. I just didn't feel as hungry today and now that it's 10 pm, I certainly don't want to eat more. I'm sure when I cut my limit to a lower caloric intake I will struggle more. Looking back on my food journalling from before I started counting calories, I realize how much I was consuming and it's no wonder I am at this fat place. I don't usually drink caffeine anymore because it gives me back acid reflux, but today I nipped into Starbucks for a Grande n/f latte but I forgot to say "decaf". Ooops...was I ever hopping after that. When you don't normally drink caffeine, it really effects you if you do have some. Felt good though, and only 130 calories, hehe.

Missy: That software you recommended is absolutely fabulous. I just love it! I'd recommend you others take a look. It's great for tracking your calories during the day, how much exercise you get (and the calories burned from that) and also figuring the calories in recipes. I know you can do this all manually, but I like doing in on the computer and not paging through books looking every little thing up.

Anyway, I'm going to head off to bed. I was up too late last night and need to get some sleep tonight. I'm still wired from that caffeine though, or maybe it was that brisk walk I just came in from.

Later....